Mathews Switchback XT Review

I've shot Mathews bows for nearly 25 years now. Our bow shop was the first sole agent for Mathews bows in the late 1990's, when we introduced the fledgling Mathews bows to the South African market. I've hunted over 150 game animals with Mathews bows. In my opinion, of all the great Mathews bows I've had the priveledge to shoot, the Switchback XT is tops. I'm 64 now and only own one bow, guess which one!

The XT was ment to be a "backup" bow for me. After a couple days at the range and some tuning it is now my primary treestand bow. I can draw it at any angle because the draw cycle is silky smooth. I never shoot this bow more than 40 yards at targets and 30 yards at game. But up to that 30 yards I trust it completely. I shoot a 480gr arrow at 64lbs and 29in draw and see speeds around 260fps using a 60X string. A mid Torqueless Grip would be a good update as the factory grip is not shaped very well for big hands.

I bought the bow brand new and they just come out with the new 2018 bow and I still see no need to upgrade because in my opinion Mathews hasn't made a better bow than the Switchback XT to date! I got my bow and it pulled 74 lb out of the box then after set up and twisting the cables to the right axle to axle length by the tech it shot 321 fps. with a 75 grain field point and a 27 inch arrows 29 inch draw. Myself or the tech couldn't believe how fast this bow shoots and it is silky smooth to draw with no felt recoil I added a Mathews string stop since I bought it but that's it. My friend has a Halon 32 and my bow shoots right with his so I see no need to buy a new one until Mathews comes up with something so innovative that my XT can't compete!

I hunt, instruct and compete in IBO. This was the first bow I ever took to a real competition and into the field, and it's never let me down even 7 years later. I have a Hoyt Pro Comp Elite and I shoot in a different class now, but the Mathews is still my go-to bow for fun shoots, IBO and hunting. It's super comfortable in the hand, not too heavy, and it's ultra quiet in the forest. You will never regret buying this bow, or "outgrow" it. When my students ask why I still shoot it, I tell them that the Hoyt is my fancy "techy" bow, but the Mathews is an old friend.

I love my Switchback XT. My daughter has a Mission Craze and we were out shooting one day at the range and she challenged me to take a 60yd shot at a clay pigeon sitting in front of the hay bail. I gladly accepted, knowing that I had never tried a shot that far out at a very small target, but I had to show her to always be confident. I do believe in "aim small miss small" but at 60yds that clay pigeon was a very daunting target. I hit it on the third shot! I impressed myself. I shoot it with an 7 Pin IQ sight with Retina lock on a Muzzy Xcelerator drop away rest. I have nothing bad to say about the Switchback XT. The draw is as smooth as silk, nice solid wall, mine has the 65% let off and I can hold for quite a while without fatigue or creep. Everything about this bow is perfect! I also have a Mathews Creed XS and a Bear Carnage, I had a Bear Motive 6 (all reviewed on here as well). I just can't imagine not having my SBXT.

The bow is very accurate and smooth draw and quiet. A great bow from Mathews.The bow is dead in hand after the shot.The bow is easy to set up. This bow haves a great brace height of 7.5 inches. This helps the bow give the shooter better forgiveness how the bad shot. Just a great bow for the beginner or pro shooter.

Haven't shot bow in 5 or 6 years. Thinking of getting back into bow hunting so I bought a switchback xt from a friend boy am I glad I did. Being an older bow already it is a total upgrade from my 20 yr old bow. It is so smooth, quiet, and pretty accurate. I'm shooting 256fps itsn't the fastest bow but it's not slow either. Shot a couple of 3D leagues and it performs just as good if not better than some of the newer bows. This bow is so nice I won't be buying a new one anytime soon.

I've had a few bows and the switchback is one of my favorites can't shoot it enough. Mathews bow seem to be ahead of there time for the age of the bow it keeps up and or passes some of the newer bows in its class. Awesome bow couldn't ask for more out of it.